The MSS payload is designed to deliver an S-band service across all 28 member states of the European Union; the FSS/BSS coverage zones are Europe, Middle East and Southern Africa. The Inmarsat S – Europasat payload will offer enhanced mobile services across Europe through a hybrid network, which combines S-Band satellite services with a Complementary Ground Component (CGC) infrastructure. Inmarsat S – Europasat will serve the aviation passenger connectivity services, as well as the safety services for Public Protection & Disaster Relief (PPDR) all over Europe. The Hellas-Sat 3 payload will deliver DTH and Telecom services in its designated coverage areas, maintaining and expanding Hellas-Sat business reach with additional capacities....Built on the Spacebus 4000 C4 platform from Thales Alenia Space, Inmarsat S – Europasat / Hellas-Sat 3 will deliver a multi-beam mission in S-band and Ka-band for Inmarsat as well as a powerful Ku/Ka-Band mission of 44 Ku and 1 Ka transponders for Hellas-Sat. The satellite will weigh about 5.9 tonnes at launch and will offer payload power of about 12.3 kW. Inmarsat S – Europasat / Hellas-Sat 3 will be positioned at 39° East....

21 July 2016: Inmarsat, the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, announced today that construction and associated sub-system tests of the satellite for its market-changing European Aviation Network (EAN) in-flight connectivity solution has been completed on schedule by Thales Alenia Space.

The key milestone was achieved on schedule following an extensive two-year build process in Toulouse and Cannes, France. The completed S-band payload module was shipped in early July to Thales Alenia Space’s testing center in Cannes, where satellite integration (‘mating’) was also successfully completed. The satellite is now undergoing rigorous system end-to-end testing before it is declared ready for flight in 2017....Over the coming months, Inmarsat’s new S-band satellite will be put in a thermal vacuum chamber with no pressure to simulate the space environment and cycled through extreme high and low temperatures to ensure it operates nominally. Mechanical and acoustic testing will then replicate the launch environment, followed by final phase testing to compare any shifts or variations in measurements against the initial base line. Once these tests are complete, the satellite will be prepared for launch by SpaceX at Cape Canaveral in Florida, scheduled to take place in 2017....

The delays raise the possibility that they will lose rights to some portion of the radio spectrum, but there is also the suggestion that it might go up on Falcon 9 instead of Falcon Heavy. It would be a later Falcon 9 flight (2Q 2017 vs. 1Q for FH), suggesting that that would be a back-up plan if FH has teething troubles.

This was pretty much expected, SX is behind schedule as far as their manifest is concerned.

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We have been talking to SpaceX about different options,” Inmarsat spokesman Christopher McLaughlin said. “It’s never easy to fix a launch date far in advance but as of now it appears that we can get a Falcon Heavy launch in the first quarter of 2017, or a Falcon 9 launch in the second quarter.”

This one is interesting. One of the main reasons this payload was booked on FH in the first place is that it was too heavy for DPL with F9. The fact that SX is quoting a F9 FT option for Q2 2017 might mean one of the three following things.

1. F9 FT in Q2 2017 will be able to cover this mass and still perform DPL.2. SpaceX is offering a SES-9 style campaign, with a very small possibility for successful landing to offset the delay.3. SpaceX is offering an expendable F9 launch with max performance to offset the delay.

This was pretty much expected, SX is behind schedule as far as their manifest is concerned.

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We have been talking to SpaceX about different options,” Inmarsat spokesman Christopher McLaughlin said. “It’s never easy to fix a launch date far in advance but as of now it appears that we can get a Falcon Heavy launch in the first quarter of 2017, or a Falcon 9 launch in the second quarter.”

This one is interesting. One of the main reasons this payload was booked on FH in the first place is that it was too heavy for DPL with F9. The fact that SX is quoting a F9 FT option for Q2 2017 might mean one of the three following things.

1. F9 FT in Q2 2017 will be able to cover this mass and still perform DPL.2. SpaceX is offering a SES-9 style campaign, with a very small possibility for successful landing to offset the delay.3. SpaceX is offering an expendable F9 launch with max performance to offset the delay.

Option 3 - When was this contract originally signed? 2014-2015?

That is one of the great things about the F9 and it's 1st stage recovery. You have a mission that is beyond the ability to recover the booster but still within the capability of the LV if you discard 1st stage recovery. Not so long ago, every GTO launch was no go for recovery. You simply remove the landing hardware and use the LV as a full expendable vehicle. Their is no expensive investment in manufacturing of the 1st stage to make the stage recoverable and the hardware is removable. You have essentially the best of both worlds, a recoverable 1st stage that can still be launched as a expendable.

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"Look at that! If anybody ever said, "you'll be sitting in a spacecraft naked with a 134-pound backpack on your knees charging it", I'd have said "Aw, get serious". - John Young - Apollo-16

FH being delayed till sometime in 2017 and this being Q2 of 17 is tight planning. Also, if the client won't accept a reused vehicle SpaceX would have to build a fresh FH. That's a lot of metal to bend and Merlin's to build.

Throw it uphill with an expendable F9 FT+.

It would be good nostalgia to see an expendable launch.

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Excited to be finally into the first Falcon Heavy flow, we are getting so close!

FH being delayed till sometime in 2017 and this being Q2 of 17 is tight planning. Also, if the client won't accept a reused vehicle SpaceX would have to build a fresh FH. That's a lot of metal to bend and Merlin's to build.

Throw it uphill with an expendable F9 FT+.

It would be good nostalgia to see an expendable launch.

This is an interesting 'feature' of the new FT version, being able to cover for FH on payloads between 5500 and 8300kg. Earlier it was mentioned that the FH would be cheaper in fully reusable mode than expendable F9, but good to have a back-up capability so payloads like EuropaSat are not lost to others. The pair of ViaSats at 6400kg fall nicely into that category.

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"If we shared everything [we are working on] people would think we are insane!"-- SpaceX friend of mlindner

This is an interesting 'feature' of the new FT version, being able to cover for FH on payloads between 5500 and 8300kg. Earlier it was mentioned that the FH would be cheaper in fully reusable mode than expendable F9, but good to have a back-up capability so payloads like EuropaSat are not lost to others. The pair of ViaSats at 6400kg fall nicely into that category.

This. In fact I think we should expect this to become the norm. Use the stage x times then send it up in expendable mode. X would be 2 here - but will grow to 10+ as everyone gets more comfortable with reuse.

Chris Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

"I think it would be great to be born on Earth and to die on Mars. Just hopefully not at the point of impact." -Elon Musk"We're a little bit like the dog who caught the bus" - Musk after CRS-8 S1 successfully landed on ASDS OCISLY

Inmarsat has three launch contracts with SpaceX. Up to now, it had planned to launch its Inmarsat 5-F4 Ka-band broadband mobile communications satellite on a Falcon 9 in late 2016; an S-band aeronautical-connectivity satellite on a new Falcon Heavy rocket in early 2017; and the first of the Inmarsat-6 satellites after that.

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Inmarsat has decided to stick with SpaceX for the 5-F4 satellite, but to seek alternatives for the mid-2017 S-band satellite launch.

“It’s largely a function of where you are in the manifest,” Pearce said of Inmarsat’s launch reasoning. “With Inmarsat 5 F4, we’re well up in the queue — I think we are number five or six....With the S-band EAN satellite, he said, the reasoning is different.

“We are further [back in] the queue and therefore there’s a risk of further delays because SpaceX not only has to get back to flight but to demonstrate that it can maintain a very good launch schedule. So you could presumably have a day-to-day delay....Pearce said it remain possible that SpaceX will be able to confirm a May or June launch, but that would be difficult to achieve in the deadline Inmarsat has to find an alternative rocket....“It’s probably more likely we would look to exercise one of the options we have been quietly cultivating behind the scenes,” Pearce said. “We’ve talked about one of them, which is the [International Launch Services] Proton launch that we have up our sleeve anyway. But we do have other options as well...”

Why would Inmarsat not switch this to a Falcon 9 launch, like they hinted at in August? Furthermore, why would they not swap it with Inmarsat 5 F4 (which weighs more), as this satellite is so much more important for the company financially?

Why would Inmarsat not switch this to a Falcon 9 launch, like they hinted at in August? Furthermore, why would they not swap it with Inmarsat 5 F4 (which weighs more), as this satellite is so much more important for the company financially?

If this launch stays with SpaceX then it will almost certainly launch on F9. As for swapping, Inmarsat 5 F4 was probably finished first and they may actually want it to be launched. If they have options for launching EuropaSat then why would they leave Inmarsat 5 F4 sitting on the ground?

There may be a LOT of payloads ahead of EuropaSat on the SpaceX manifest. I count about 18 payloads listed for SpaceX through the first half of 2017. If EuropaSat is towards the end of that list (I don't know how many payloads are ahead of it but Inmarsat implied it's not near the top) and SpaceX started launching twice a month in December, it could potentially be July/August before even an F9 is available. If SpaceX can't sustain twice a month starting in December it could take even longer. It's easy to understand why Inmarsat is looking at whether to switch this payload to another launch provider (but we still don't know if they will or not).

Per NSF Russian Launch Schedule: EuropaSat/HellasSat 3 has been reassigned to fly on launcher Proton-M. SpaceX contract for flight of EuropaSat/HellasSat 3 was not cancelled, rather another company payload (unknown) will fly on the booked flight on an unknown date.

Ariane 5 build-up for Arianespace's Flight VA238The build-up process for Flight VA238’s Ariane 5 at the Spaceport began with erection of the core cryogenic stage and its positioning over the launch table inside the Launcher Integration Building ([see previous post] photos left and center), followed by the first of two solid booster rollouts for mating with the core stage ([see previous post] photo at right).

The Spaceport’s ability to support Arianespace’s launch cadence by enabling multiple missions to be readied in parallel is demonstrated once again with the two Ariane 5s currently undergoing processing in French Guiana.

Inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, the Ariane 5 for Flight VA238 is taking shape for a June 28 liftoff with a dual-satellite payload: the Hellas-Sat 3/Inmarsat S multi-mission relay satellite for Inmarsat and Hellas-Sat; and the Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSAT-17 communications spacecraft.

This heavy-lift vehicle’s build-up process began with the positioning of its core cryogenic stage over one of two mobile launch tables for Ariane 5. It cleared the way for the transfer of two large solid propellant boosters from their remote preparation zone to the Launcher Integration Building, where they will be mated to the Ariane 5’s core stage.

Ariane 5’s build-up performed by Airbus Safran Launchers

The basic build-up will then be completed with integration of Ariane 5’s cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay, followed by checkout and functional tests.

Flight VA238’s launcher will then be ready for transfer to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building, where it will receive the Hellas-Sat 3/Inmarsat S and GSAT-17 satellite passengers.

The Final Assembly Building currently is occupied by the Ariane 5 for Arianespace Flight VA237, which is set for a June 1 liftoff with the ViaSat-2 and Eutelsat E172B telecommunications satellites. This Ariane 5 is installed on the second mobile launch table used by Arianespace’s heavy-lift vehicles, and awaits its dual-passenger payload integration.

Arianespace is targeting a total of 12 missions in 2017 utilizing its family of the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and light-lift Vega. So far in 2017, the launch services company has performed five flights from the Spaceport: two each with Ariane 5 and Soyuz, along with one Vega mission.

24 May 2017: The satellite which will power Inmarsat’s revolutionary European Aviation Network (EAN) has been shipped to the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana in preparation for launch in June.

Inmarsat’s S-band satellite is part of a condominium satellite, or ‘condosat’, constructed by Thales Alenia Space, which incorporates a second payload for Hellas-Sat. It will be launched by Arianespace on an Ariane 5 rocket.

The first of its kind worldwide, the EAN will combine high capacity, multi-beam satellite coverage with a complementary 4G LTE ground network, developed by Deutsche Telekom, to provide high-speed passenger Wi-Fi on flights across all European Union states.Busy routes

Designed specifically for high-traffic flight paths and busy airport hubs, the integrated network will deliver high-speed capacity so that passengers can enjoy a reliable broadband service in the air that matches their expectations on the ground.

The Hellas-Sat satellite will provide fixed satellite and broadcast satellite services to Europe, the Middle East and Southern Africa.

Built on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus 4000 C4 platform, the condosat will weigh about 5.8 tonnes at launch and will offer payload power of approximately 12.7 kW. It will be positioned at 39° East.

Ariane 5 June 9, 2017GSAT-17 “opens up” during testing ahead of this Indian satellite’s June 28 launch on Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission

The next launch of Arianespace’s heavy-lift Ariane 5, scheduled for June 28 from the Spaceport in French Guiana, will carry a dual payload: the Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSAT-17 communications satellite and the Hellas Sat 3 – Inmarsat S EAN multi-mission relay satellite for Inmarsat and Hellas-Sat.

In advance of the liftoff, GSAT-17 has been undergoing ground-based checkout activity, including the deployment of its solar panels and antenna reflectors in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility’s S5C large clean room hall.

Such deployment testing is a routine procedure with Indian satellites prior to launch. For the solar panels’ extension, an overhead latticework helped support the solar panels as they opened to their full length – simulating the zero gravity conditions in space. Upon validating the proper operation, Indian technicians stowed the panels against the satellite in their final liftoff configuration. Afterwards, the satellite’s two antenna reflectors were similarly deployed and restowed during activity in the clean room.

Launching aboard the upcoming Ariane 5 mission – designated Flight VA238 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – GSAT-17 will be deployed second in the flight sequence, following Ariane 5’s release of Hellas Sat 3 – Inmarsat S EAN. GSAT-17 is based on the I-3K extended spacecraft bus, with a liftoff mass set at 3,425 kg. The satellite’s relay payload is composed of Ku-band, Normal C-band and Extended C-band transponders. The satellite also carries CxS and SxC transponders as well as DRT and SAR transponders.

Arianespace is targeting a total of 12 missions in 2017 utilizing its family of the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and light-lift Vega. So far this year, the launch services company has performed six flights from the Spaceport, composed of three with Ariane 5, two utilizing Soyuz and one with Vega.

Ariane 5 is cleared for its June 28 launch with Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN and GSAT-17

Arianespace’s fourth heavy-lift Ariane 5 to take flight in 2017 is “go” for its Wednesday evening liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana, sustaining the launch services company’s mission cadence this year with its full launcher family – which also includes the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

Approval for the June 28 mission – designated Flight VA238 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – was granted today after the Launch Readiness Review, which confirmed the “go” status of Ariane 5, its Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN and GSAT-17 satellite payloads, the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.

The total payload carried on Flight VA238 is approximately 10,177 kg., with the mission lasting 39 minutes from liftoff to deployment of the two spacecraft passengers.

One launch at the service of three operators

Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN is positioned as the upper passenger on Ariane 5, and will be released first during the flight, followed by GSAT-17’s deployment from the launcher’s lower payload position.

Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN is a two-payload “condosat” produced by Thales Alenia Space for Hellas Sat and Inmarsat. Once in orbit, the Hellas Sat 3 component will deliver direct-to-home and telecom services to maintain and expand Hellas Sat’s business reach; while the Inmarsat S EAN component provides the satellite portion of Inmarsat’s new European Aviation Network.

GSAT-17 was manufactured by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to expand this national space agency’s current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites. It will provide continuity of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) in Normal C and Upper Extended C bands, as well as Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) in S-band and Data Relay and Search & Rescue services in UHF band.

The GSAT-17 spacecraft was built by ISRO/ISAC (the ISRO Satellite Centre), utilizing the Standard I-3K satellite bus. Its liftoff mass is set at 3,477 kg.

Arianespace has delivered another Ariane 5 to the launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, clearing the way for tomorrow's heavy-lift mission with a pair of satellites: Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN and GSAT-17.

Riding atop a mobile launch table, Ariane 5 today completed its transfer from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where payload integration occurred – to the dedicated ELA-3 launch complex. With this rollout completed, the final countdown will begin for a June 28 liftoff at the start of a 1-hr., 17-min. launch window opening at 5:59 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

Tomorrow’s mission is designated Flight VA238, and it has an estimated payload performance of 10,177 kg. – a total that factors in Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN and GSAT-17, plus the dual-satellite dispenser system and integration hardware. Both passengers are to be deployed to geostationary transfer orbit during a 39-min. flight sequence.

Continuing the Arianespace launch tempo

Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN is the mission’s upper passenger and will be released first in the flight sequence at 28 min. after liftoff. Produced by Thales Alenia Space, it is a two-payload “condosat” to be operated by Hellas Sat and Inmarsat. Once in orbit, the Hellas Sat 3 component will deliver direct-to-home and telecom services to maintain and expand Hellas Sat’s business reach; while the Inmarsat S EAN component provides the satellite portion of Inmarsat’s new European Aviation Network.

GSAT-17, to be deployed from Ariane 5’s lower passenger position, was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to strengthen its current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites. The spacecraft’s separation will occur approximately 41 min. after liftoff.

As the fourth heavy-lift Ariane 5 flight so far in 2017, tomorrow’s launch will continue a busy year of mission activity for Arianespace’s full family of launchers, which also has included two flights performed with the medium-lift Soyuz and one using the lightweight Vega.

Today (June 29, 2017), GSAT-17 became India’s third communication satellite to successfully reach orbit in the past two months. GSAT-17 was launched in the early morning hours using the European Ariane 5 Launch Vehicle from Kourou, French Guiana. The 3477 kg GSAT-17 carries communication payloads in C-band, Extended C-band and S-band for providing various services to the country. The satellite also carries equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services.

After its lift-off at 0245 hrs (2:45 am) IST and a flight lasting about 39 minutes, GSAT-17 separated from the Ariane 5 upper stage in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 249 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 35,920 km, inclined at an angle of 3 degrees to the equator.

ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka took over the command and control of GSAT-17 immediately after its separation from the launch vehicle. Preliminary health checks of the satellite revealed its normal functioning.

In the coming days, orbit raising manoeuvres will be performed to place GSAT-17 satellite in the Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) by using the satellite’s propulsion system in steps.

During the final stages of its orbit raising operations, the two solar arrays and both the antenna reflectors of GSAT-17 will be deployed. Following this, the satellite will be put in its final orbital configuration. GSAT-17 will be positioned at its designated orbital slot in the geostationary orbit and will be co-located with some of the Indian operational geostationary satellites. Later, it is planned to turn on the communication payloads of the satellite. After the successful completion of all the in-orbit tests, GSAT-17 will be ready for operational use.

Inmarsat confirms successful launch of S-band satellite for the European Aviation Network

29 June 2017: Inmarsat (LON: ISAT), the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has confirmed the successful launch of its S-band satellite (Inmarsat S EAN) for the European Aviation Network (EAN). The launch is a key milestone for Inmarsat’s unique EAN service, which is on course to commence commercial service in the second half of 2017.

The Inmarsat S-band satellite, built by France’s Thales Alenia Space, was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket by Arianespace at 22:15 BST/17:15 EDT from Kourou in French Guiana. Following satellite separation at 22:43 BST/17:43 EDT, telemetry from the satellite was acquired by the Mingenew Ground Station in Western Australia at 22:50 BST/17:50 EDT.

The launch team from Inmarsat and Thales Alenia Space will now raise the satellite into its geostationary orbit over Europe and the Middle East, at which point the spacecraft will deploy its solar arrays and reflectors, and undergo rigorous payload testing.

Inmarsat’s EAN is the world’s first dedicated aviation connectivity solution to integrate space-based and ground-based networks to deliver a seamless WiFi experience for airline passengers throughout Europe. Inmarsat’s strategic partner, Deutsche Telekom, is well advanced in the construction of the complementary ground network, which will be fully integrated with the S-band satellite to deliver a truly seamless service for Europe’s airlines and their passengers.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes world renowned airline brands such as British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, is confirmed as the launch customer for the new service. IAG has begun equipping its aircraft and aims to have 90% of its short haul fleet complete by early 2019.

The successful launch of the S-band satellite underlines the momentum that Inmarsat is building in the high-speed broadband inflight connectivity (IFC) market, which Inmarsat entered in October 2016 with the commercial introduction of GX Aviation, a worldwide service powered by its Ka-band, Global Xpress (Ka) satellite constellation.

Inmarsat now has over 1,200 aircraft installations expected under signed contracts for its IFC services. Mandates have been won from leading airlines worldwide including Avianca, Qatar Airways, Deutsche Lufthansa Group, International Airlines Group, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

“Inmarsat and its partners have been making very strong progress in the IFC market and the successful launch of our S-band satellite means that the start of our revolutionary European Aviation Network is now just months away,” said Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat.

“We first announced our plans for EAN in 2014, seeking to take advantage of a visionary and unique commercial and technological opportunity created by the European Commission’s DG CONNECT and subsequently supported by Member State telecoms regulators. It is a testament to the continued support of European Institutions and national regulatory authorities, the hard work of multiple teams across Inmarsat and the commitment of our vital strategic partners, including Deutsche Telekom, Thales Alenia Space, Thales Aviation, Cobham and Arianespace, that we now stand on the threshold of a new aviation WiFi service that will transform the experience of passengers flying throughout Europe.

“Although Inmarsat is a relatively new entrant into the high-speed aviation passenger broadband market, we have secured commitments for our IFC services from major airlines in Europe and across the world. Their confidence underlines the strength of Inmarsat’s IFC strategy and the long-term, scalable capabilities of our two core IFC networks – GX Aviation and EAN. We are focused on delivering the most reliable, seamless connectivity services to airlines and remain the only major provider to deliver guaranteed performance commitments.”

The 80th consecutive success for Arianespace’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 lofted two satellites today, delivering new capacity for use in the distribution of TV and video content, telecommunications services, mobile satellite services, data relay, along with coverage of search and rescue missions.

Orbited by Arianespace Flight VA238 from the Spaceport in French Guiana were a so-called “condosat” composed of two payloads for Hellas Sat and Inmarsat, along with a spacecraft for the Indian Space Research Organisation.

On its fourth mission at the service of Arianespace this year, the Ariane 5 had a payload lift performance estimated at 10,136 kg. to geostationary transfer orbit, maintaining the company’s sustained launch pace in 2017.

Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN deployed first in the mission

Riding as the upper passenger on Flight VA238 was Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN, which integrated two relay payloads.

The payload for Hellas Sat 3 will expand this company’s business reach by providing direct-to-home (DTH) TV broadcast and telecommunications services, as well as the distribution of high-definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD) video content in Europe, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. These fixed satellite services (FSS) and broadcast satellite services (BSS) include a cross-strap service between Europe and South Africa.

Christodoulos Protopapas, the CEO of Hellas Sat, congratulated Arianespace on successfully orbiting the Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN spacecraft, and said he was looking forward to the launch of his company’s next satellite – Hellas Sat 4 – scheduled on an Arianespace mission in 2018.

Keeping airline passengers connected while aloft

Also integrated on the Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN satellite is a relay payload for a system developed by Inmarsat with Deutsche Telekom to offer high-speed, high-capacity Wi-Fi connections for airline passengers.

Inmarsat is specialized in mobile satellite communications, and the first customer for this airborne connectivity is the International Airlines Group (AIG), which has begun equipping its aircraft and aims to have 90 percent of its short-haul fleet complete by early 2019.

Inmarsat Chief Technology Officer Michele Franci thanked Arianespace as part of the European effort that will bring cabin connectivity to passengers across Europe. “This satellite was riding on one of Europe’s best successes – Ariane,” he added.

Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN, built by Thales Alenia Space

Weighing an estimated 5,780 kg. at liftoff, Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN was produced by Thales Alenia Space using its Spacebus 4000C4 platform. With the satellite’s successful launch today, Arianespace has now orbited a total of 149 spacecraft built by the company – continuing a long-time partnership.

Bertrand Maureau, Executive Vice President – Telecommunications at Thales Alenia Space, acknowledged Ariane 5’s mission performance this evening, and noted that Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN was the fourth satellite from his company launched by Arianespace so far this year.

Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN also marks key milestones between Arianespace and the two operators: it is the ninth satellite launched at the service of Inmarsat, and the first orbited for Hellas Sat.

The dual-payload condosat has a total coverage area that includes spans Europe, the Middle East and sub-Saharan African regions, and will operate from a 39-deg. East orbital slot.

21 satellites launched by Arianespace for ISRO

GSAT-17 was the 21st spacecraft orbited by Arianespace for the Indian Space Research Organisation, extending a relationship that dates back to 1981 with launch of the APPLE experimental satellite.

Built by ISRO/ISAC (the ISRO Satellite Centre) utilizing the Standard I-3K satellite bus, GSAT-17 – with a mass at liftoff of 3,476 kg. – will expand the Indian national space agency’s current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites. It is to provide continuity of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) in Normal C and Upper Extended C bands, as well as Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) in S-band and Data Relay and Search & Rescue services in UHF band – operating from a final orbital position of 93.5 deg. East.

Dr. K. Sivan, Director of ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, described Ariane 5’s launch this evening as “glorious,” and offered the Indian space organization’s “congratulations, complements and thanks to Arianespace for a wonderful job.”

Next up for Arianespace: Vega Flight VV10

Arianespace’s next mission is set for August 1, utilizing the lightweight vehicle Vega on a mission to Sun-synchronous orbit. Its two passengers will be OPTsat-3000 for the Italian Ministry of Defense, along with VenµS for the French and Israeli space agencies.

Arianespace has successfully launched the Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN “condosat” – composed of two payloads for operators Hellas Sat and Inmarsat; as well as the GSAT-17 satellite for India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization).

The launch took place on Wednesday, June 28 at 6:15 p.m. (local time), from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (South America).

With this seventh launch of the year, and the fourth by Ariane 5 in 2017, Arianespace marks the 80th successful launch in a row by this heavy launcher.

Arianespace at the service of in-flight connectivity for Hellas Sat and Inmarsat

Hellas Sat, a major satellite operator and subsidiary of Arabsat Group, provides communications services in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa.

The Hellas Sat 3 payload, the second for the operator Hellas Sat and the first to be orbited by Arianespace, will expand the company’s business reach by providing direct-to-home (DTH) TV broadcast and telecommunications services, as well as the distribution of high-definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD) video content in Europe, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.

These fixed satellite services (FSS) and broadcast satellite services (BSS) will include a cross-strap service between Europe and South Africa.

Arianespace has another Hellas Sat satellite – Hellas Sat 4 – in its order book. This spacecraft will further increase the operator’s service availability.

Inmarsat S EAN is the ninth payload orbited by Arianespace for Inmarsat – a company specialized in global mobile satellite communications – since the launch of MARECS A in 1981.

The EAN network, which will commence commercial services in the second half of 2017, will deliver a truly seamless inflight WiFi service for Europe’s airlines and their passengers.

The International Airlines Group (IAG), is confirmed as the launch customer for the new service. IAG has begun equipping its aircraft and aims to have 90% of its short haul fleet complete by early 2019.

Arianespace, a partner of reference for ISRO since 1981

Following the launch of GSAT-18 on October 5, 2016, GSAT-17 is the 21st satellite orbited by Arianespace for the Indian space agency ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization). Arianespace has won nearly 90% of all Indian geostationary satellite launch contracts open to competitive bidding.

It carries on ISRO’s mission of using space to support the development of the Indian sub-continent by launching satellites of all types (Earth observation, telecommunications, educational program broadcasting, science, navigation, etc.).

Arianespace’s order book includes another ISRO satellite to be launched: GSAT-11.

80th success in a row for Ariane 5

Today’s Flight VA238 mission was the 80th successful Ariane 5 launch in a row, a string of successes that started in 2003. Over the last 14 years, the Ariane 5 launcher has orbited 160 satellites for both commercial and government customers, exceeding 677 metric tons.

This enviable track record reflects the exceptional reliability and availability of Arianespace’s heavy-lift launcher, and confirms its status as the most reliable launcher on the commercial market today.

Including this mission, Arianespace has now carried out seven launches over a period of five months and a day in 2017, sending 10 satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and one into a non-GTO orbit, with a cumulated payload weight of nearly 45 metric tons. Arianespace plans five more launches in 2017: three by Ariane 5 and two by the Vega light launcher.

Shortly after the announcement of the orbital injection of the two satellites, Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, said: “Arianespace is proud to serve our European and Indian customers with this fourth successful Ariane 5 launch of the year. We are very honored to have earned the trust of Hellas Sat in launching the second satellite in its operational fleet; and Inmarsat, for whom this launch marks the ninth by Arianespace since 1981; and of course ISRO, the Indian space agency, for which we performed our 21st launch today. I also would like to thank our long-standing partner Thales Alenia Space, which built the Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN “condosat.”

“Today’s launch was the 80th success in a row for Ariane 5 over a period of 14 years – an exceptional performance that anchors its position as the most reliable commercial launcher in the marketplace. I also would like to thank all our partners in this successful team effort: ArianeGroup and the entire European launcher industry for the exceptional reliability and availability of our heavy-lift launcher; ESA, for its critical support of the Ariane program; CNES/CSG, along with our ground segment companies and all staff at the space center. Finally, I would like to congratulate the teams at Arianespace, who are celebrating this evening our successful seventh launch of the year, and the 290th launch by the Arianespace launcher family.”

The Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, southern France, using a Spacebus 4000 C4 platform.

The Hellas-Sat 3 payload will provide secure DTH TV broadcast and telecommunications services using 47 (BOL)/44(MOL) transponders in Ku band and one Ka-band transponder.

The Inmarsat S EAN payload, operating in S-band for Inmarsat S EAN, will provide communications services for in-flight connectivity via the European Aviation Network (EAN), which combines space and ground segments to provide robust and reliable high-speed services to European passengers.

Positioned at 39° East, its coverage zone spans Europe, the Middle East and sub-Saharan African regions.

The satellite had a liftoff mass of 5,780 kg., and it offers a design life exceeding 15 years.

The GSAT-17 satellite was built by ISRO/ISAC (ISRO Satellite Center) using a Standard I-3K platform. Its payload comprises C-band, Extended C-band and S-band transponders, as well as data relay and search & rescue (SAR) services in UHF band.

Positioned at 93.5° East, GSAT-17 will provide fixed and mobile communications services, data transmission and search & rescue (SAR) services for India, the Middle East and regions of Southeast Asia.

The satellite had a liftoff mass of 3,476 kg., and offers a design life of approximately 15 years.

Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere. I saw in NSF's article that Inmarsat had originally contracted to have their satellite launched by a Falcon 9, then contemplated switching to a Proton rocket, before settling on Ariane.

How is this possible? Isn't every satellite custom-built to integrate with the rocket on which it launches? Wouldn't they have had to redesign and move attach points, at minimum, for every switch?

Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere. I saw in NSF's article that Inmarsat had originally contracted to have their satellite launched by a Falcon 9, then contemplated switching to a Proton rocket, before settling on Ariane.

How is this possible? Isn't every satellite custom-built to integrate with the rocket on which it launches? Wouldn't they have had to redesign and move attach points, at minimum, for every switch?

First, there are a handful of comsat builders - HellasSat 3 is a Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000C4 model - so presumably they have worked toward standardized payload attach fitting connections that allow their satellites to fly aboard multiple launch vehicles. Second, Inmarsat S is, as I understand things (and I could be wrong), a package attached to the HellasSat 3 bus. There is a chance that it could move to different satellites.